U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a 26-year-old Honduran national in Fairfax, Virginia, after local authorities dropped felony charges that included abduction with intent to defile and burglary with intent to murder or rape. ICE confirmed the arrest of Hyrum Baquedano-Rodriguez on May 2.
The arrest followed a decision by local prosecutors to dismiss serious charges related to a reported home invasion. Despite the dismissal, ICE officials cited Baquedano-Rodriguez’s history of criminal convictions as justification for the enforcement action. “Though the court saw fit to drop his most recent charges, Hyrum Baquedano-Rodriguez has been convicted of numerous crimes in Virginia and represents a calamitous hazard to our Virginia residents,” said ICE Field Office Director Russell Hott.
Baquedano-Rodriguez first entered the U.S. illegally near Yuma, Arizona, on August 25, 2018, where he was detained by U.S. Border Patrol and later released on bond by a Department of Justice immigration judge in January 2019. Since then, he has been convicted multiple times in Fairfax County courts.
His criminal record includes a conviction on September 27, 2022, for entering property with intent to damage and petit larceny, for which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. On October 7, 2022, the county’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court convicted him of disorderly conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, each resulting in a 12-month prison sentence.
On March 8, 2023, he received another 12-month sentence for entering property with intent to damage.
ICE cites public safety in continued enforcement actions
In a prior incident dated November 9, 2021, Fairfax County Police had arrested Baquedano-Rodriguez and charged him with three counts of indecent liberties and indecent exposure involving a child. The outcome of those charges was not detailed in ICE’s statement.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin responded to the arrest by emphasizing the importance of cross-agency coordination in law enforcement. “Protecting Virginians has been a top priority of our administration since day one,” said Youngkin. “I’m grateful to our law enforcement officers at every level for working hard to keep Virginians and Americans safe.”
ICE stated that enforcement operations in the Washington, D.C. area will continue to focus on individuals with criminal histories who are in the country unlawfully.
